Do You Need to Soak Peas Before Planting?

Plant varieties adapted to your area.

Like tomatoes, homegrown peas (Pisum sativum) taste infinitely better than their commercial counterparts. Growing peas can be tricky, especially if you live in an area with short, cold springs, followed by hot summers. Soaking pea seeds might make them germinate and grow quicker; on the other hand, it could backfire if the seeds rot.

Soaking Seeds

The main challenge in growing peas is getting the timing right. Plant peas too early and they rot in the soil, failing to germinate. Plant them too late and they dwindle in the summer heat before they reach maturity. Soaking pea seeds in water prior to planting softens the seed coats so they germinate faster.

Cautions

Although soaking seeds might encourage faster germination, it can also encourage diseases, such as damping off, according to Tanya L.K. Denckla, author of "The Gardener's A to Z Guide to Growing Organic Food." If you decide to soak pea seeds, soak them for no longer than a few hours and plant them immediately.

Planting

In climates with long, cool springs, you probably don't need to soak seeds because you're not racing the clock to beat the summer heat. Instead, plant the seeds outdoors when the soil temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Many gardening books recommend planting peas as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, but peas germinate slowly in cold, wet soils. Peas planted when the soil is 60 degrees F germinate within nine to 13 days, while those planted when the soil temperature is 40 degrees F take up to weeks to emerge.

Planting Instructions

Plant peas in a light, well-draining soil amended with organic matter. Because peas fix nitrogen in the soil, they don't need a lot of additional fertilizer, although you can add 1/4-cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet of soil. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep in cool, wet weather. Plant them up to 4 inches deep in warm, dry weather. If you have a short spring, try growing peas in raised beds. The soil warms up faster so you can plant them earlier. Space the seeds 1 to 4 inches apart and provide them a trellis to grow on. Keep the soil evenly moist. If the seeds dry out, they won't germinate.

About the Author

Julie Christensen is a food writer, caterer, and mom-chef. She's the creator of MarmaladeMom.org, dedicated to family fun and delicious food, and released a book titled "More Than Pot Roast: Fast, Fresh Slow Cooker Recipes."